Gastonia, N.C.-based spandex fiber manufacturer RadiciSpandex Corp., the North American business of
Italy-based RadiciGroup, has announced five winners of the 2009 “Stretch To The Future” Design
Scholarship Competition. The Radici competition – held with junior class design students at The
Fashion School of Kent State University, Kent, Ohio – was established 10 years ago to promote
apparel design using fabrics containing spandex. Judging was held at Kent’s Manhattan design
studio.
This year’s honorary judges were Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai, designers and founders of
Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Vena Cava, a contemporary womenswear label. Mayock and Buhai received Stretch
to the Future honoree awards from RadiciSpandex Marketing Manager Kim Hall. The Underfashion Club
sponsored the contest’s lingerie award for the second year.
This year’s winners were chosen from a field of 30 students. Fabrics used contained
RadiciSpandex’s RadElast® spandex. Alexandria Kakoules, who designed a one-piece swimsuit
constructed in fabrics from Darlington Fabrics, took the Grand Prize. Christine Barbas received the
Activewear Award for her three-piece design comprising a zip-up vest, long-sleeve top and leggings
using fabrics provided by Darlington, Gehring Textiles, Paul Gottlieb and Sextet Fabrics. Chelsea
Paskvan won the Swimwear Award for a swimsuit and cover-up designed using fabrics by Sextet.
Brittney Sampsel received the Lingerie Award for a bustier and panty constructed using Sextet and
Cyberknit fabrics. Jenna Weickert won the Eveningwear Award for her gown designed in black stretch
fabric provided from Darlington.
May 12, 2009
